EMERGENCY: And very happy ending

My name is Todd Brewer and I’ve never written a letter to the newspaper before, but I had a situation take place here at my shop. I don’t remember for sure what Sunday it was, but it happened during our “cold snap” not long ago.

It was a Sunday morning at 5 when I heard a loud “bang!” It woke me up and I thought that my microwave oven exploded. I came out of my adjoining apartment that is connected to my place of business, and saw an ocean of water pouring out of my ceiling lighting fixtures. I’m not talking about a little dribble, I am talking about a flash flood! So I panicked. And wondered, what the heck am I going to do? I didn’t know where the water shut-off valve was located in this beat-up old place that I call the “Coeur d’Alene Vapor Lounge,” and is also my place of habitat. I quickly ran to the electrical box and shut off the main power switch and found myself standing in a pool of water in the pitch dark.

Next I thought I’d better call the landlord and tell him the bad news (as the water is still pouring out of the ceiling). No answer. What does one expect at 5 a.m.? So I decided to call 911 because I didn’t know what else to do. I explained to the 911 operator that I wasn’t in any danger, but I didn’t know what to do about the torrent of rain coming down into my shop. The operator was very helpful and understanding, and told me that she would dispatch the fire department to help me ... (cool!). So, I unlocked the front door of my shop and could see the fire department vehicles just one block up the road from me. I signaled them with my flashlight and they were here in an instant. This is where the story begins that inspired me to write this letter.

As they approached my shop (probably six or seven of them), I was kind of shocked that the 911 operator had sent out the “cavalry.” I guess I expected to see maybe two at the most show up. These guys were like a well-trained basketball team. They all spread out to search for the main water shut-off valve. As they moved around in the dark with their flashlights, I was really impressed with their ability to work together like a fine oiled piece of machinery.

After about five more minutes of looking for the shut-off valve, one of the firemen discovered the main out front on the sidewalk, and was able to stop the downpour of water into my shop. Keep in mind, the water had been pouring into my shop for at least 20 minutes before the firemen found and shut the water off.

So, here I stand with my feet soaking wet and thinking to myself, “Grrrrrrr ... my first time in business for myself and it’s all gone!” My furniture was sure to be ruined, and all of my inventory as well. I thought I just lost everything I owned due to water damage; that I was out of business. That’s when one of the firemen came up to me and asked, “What can we do to help?” I looked at him with such shock and amazement that I’m sure he could detect it on my face. I believe I replied with something like, “You’re clowning me, right?” And he said, “No, we would be glad to help!” And so they did.

They all proceeded to lift and carry my furniture outside, as well as my very heavy glass display cases full of my products and supplies. Then they started to squeegee all the water out of the building. They all moved around each other like a professional dance team or something. After they got all the water out, they then moved all of the furniture back, and it looked like nothing had ever happened. I was totally in awe — what a great bunch of guys!

I want to personally thank you guys for the fast response, the professional way that you all acted, and the teamwork you all showed. And most of all, I am still in business. You guys rock!

P.S. Did I mention that they got the job done in less than 10 minutes? Wow.

TODD BREWER

Coeur d’Alene